Liquid dispensing cup for flexible container

ABSTRACT

An open top dispensing cup has a continuous sidewall and a bottom wall with an opening therein. A flexible tube is extended through the opening in snug fitting relation so that the upper part of the tube is in the cup and the lower part is in a flexible container to which the cup is removably secured. The container is adapted to hold a liquid which may be forced therefrom, upon squeezing of its sidewall, through the tube and into the cup. The upper end portion of the tube has a plug inserted therein, with the plug having at least one channel constructed to direct liquid from the tube into the container and includes extension for holding the plug and upper end portion of the tube adjacent the sidewall of the cup.

United States Patent [191 Zackheim Nov. 25, 1975 LIQUID DISPENSING CUPFOR FLEXIBLE CONTAINER [75] Inventor: Eli A. Zackheim, Norwich, Conn.

[73] Assignee: Jules Silver, Norwich, Conn.

[22] Filed: Apr. 19, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 462,572

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.99,582, Dec. 18,

1970, abandoned.

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Francis J. BartuskaAttorney, Agent, or Firm-John A. Mitchell; Pasquale A. Razzano; Curtis,Morris & Safford [57] ABSTRACT An open top dispensing cup has acontinuous sidewall and a bottom wall with an opening therein. Aflexible tube is extended through the opening in snug fitting relationso that the upper part of the tube is in the cup and the lower part isin a flexible container to which the cup is removably secured. Thecontainer is adapted to hold a liquid which may be forced therefrom,upon squeezing of its sidewall, through the tube and into the cup. Theupper end portion of the tube has a plug inserted therein, with the plughaving at least one channel constructed to direct liquid from the tubeinto the container and includes extension for holding the plug and upperend portion of the tube adjacent the sidewall of the cup.

19 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 3,921,860

LIQUID DISPENSING CUP FOR FLEXIBLE CONTAINER This application is acontinuation-in-part of US. Patent application Ser. No. 99,582 filedDec. 18, 1970 now abandoned, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a liquiddispenser, and more particularly to a dispensing cup for a flexiblecontainer which is adapted to receive and retain liquid expelled fromthe container upon squeezing.

Flexible wall containers with attached or fitted dispensers have beenpreviously proposed in the prior art for a number of various uses.Typically the dispensers are used for measuring a quantity of liquiddispensed from the flexible wall container upon squeezing, and a numberof such dispensers are discussed in detail in my above-mentionedcopending patent application.

It has been found that a dispenser which can contain a controlled ormeasured amount of liquid from a flexible container, is advantageouslyused in connection with disease prevention in the dairy industry. Forexample, research has been conducted which confirms that after milking,dipping of a cows teats with a properly prepared germicidal solution cancontrol mastitis in the cow.

Such dipping has previously been performed by physically pouring asupply of the germicidal solution into a separate cup or container intowhich the farmer then dips the cows teats. In my above-mentionedcopending application, a more economical construction was provided fordipping which permits the farmer to quickly measure out the germicidalsolution, as required, into a cup which is secured to the flexiblecontainer holding a supply of liquid, which cup is designed toaccommodate the teat.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cup or receptaclefor a flexible wall container which is adapted to contain a supply ofsolution for teat dipping while providing a substantially unobstructedopening to accommodate the teat.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improveddispenser which is particularly suited for use with flexible wallcontainers.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide adispensing cup or receptacle which is of relatively simple constructionand which is readily usable for teat dipping and other uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention, an open top dispensing cup, which is adapted to be secured tothe opened end of a flexible container having a supply of liquidtherein, includes a receptacle portion for liquid having an open top anda continuous peripheral sidewall which tapers or is inclined from itsopen top to a smaller bottom end portion which is adapted to be securedto the open end or neck of the flexible container. The receptacleportion of the cup has a bottom wall in its bottom end portion whichincludes an opening formed therein that receives a flexible tube. Thetube has an upper end portion which is located within the receptacleportion of the cup adjacent its open top and a lower end portion whichis 2 cated in the flexible container when the cup is secured thereto.

The opening in the bottom wall of the receptacle portion of the cup hasa diameter that is less than the outside diameter of the tube so thatthe tube fits snugly in the opening and forms a substantiallyliquid-tight seal therewith. An outlet plug is inserted in the upper endportion of the flexible tube for the purpose of diverting liquid fromthe tube into the cup. The plug includes a deflector surface which isspaced from and faces the upper end portion of the tube and a stem whichextends from the deflector surface and is inserted in the upper endportion of the tube. The plug stem has a plurality of elongated arms orfins that extend outwardly therefrom to define liquid flow channelstherebetween. These arms or fins have free outer end portions which arespaced from each other a distance slightly greater than the internaldiameter of the flexible tube so that the tube is stretched taut acrossthe ribs over the channels. Accordingly, upon deformation of the wallsof the container inwardly, liquid is forced from the container throughthe tube and the channels between the arms of the plug stem, and thenceinto the receptacle. Means are also provided for holding the plug andupper end portion of the flexible tube adjacent the side wall of thereceptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above, and other objects, featuresand advantages of the present invention, will be apparent in thefollowing detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereofwhich is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser cup constructed inaccordance with the present invention and mounted on a flexible wallcontainer;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, in section, through the dispenser cup andcontainer combination of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2, of the tubeplug used in the cup of the present invention; and a FIG. 4 is asectional view of the plug and upper end portion of the flexible tube,taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingin detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, it is seen that a flexiblecontainer 10, formed of a suitable material such as polyethylene orpolypropylene, is filled with a germicidal liquid 12 that is usable as ateat dip. The container 10 has a neck 14 which has a set of integrallymolded or formed threads 16 on its outer surface. A dispenser cup 18,constructed in accordance with the present invention, is threadedlysecured to the neck 14 of container 10, and is adapted to receive asupply of germicidal liquid from the container 10, upon squeezingthereof, to make the liquid (as shown in FIG. 2) available for teatdipping as described hereinafter.

Dispenser cup 18 has a generally inverted frustoconical configurationincluding a peripheral wall 20, which defines a receptacle portion 21for the liquid 12 and which is tapered or inclined from an open upperend 24 downwardly and inwardly to a lower end portion 26 which defines agenerally cylindrical neck. The latter has internal threads 28 formedthereon which are adapted to be threadedly engaged with threads 16 ofcontainer neck 14. Accordingly, it will be seen that the cup 18 of thepresent invention is fitted onto flexible container by simply screwingthe threads 28 of neck 26 onto the threads 16 of neck 14.

Cup 18 also includes a lower or bottom wall formed integrally therewithand positioned to be adjacent to the open end portion 32 of neck 14 whenthe cup is fully threaded on container 10. Bottom wall 30 has aneccentrically positioned opening 34 formed therein which ispreferentially located towards one side of the cup 18, as will bedescribed hereinafter.

A flexible tube 36, preferably formed of a soft but resilient materialsuch as rubber or polyvinyl chloride, is positioned in opening 34 withits upper end portion 38 located within cup 18 and its lower end portion40 located adjacent the base of container 10. The outside diameter oftube 36, and the diameter of opening 34 are selected such that thediameter of opening 34 is slightly smaller than the outside diameter oftube 36, so that a snug fit between the tube and the opening isachieved. This snug fit makes the base or bottom wall 30 of cup 18substantially liquid-tight at opening 34 so that liquid placed in thereceptacle above wall 30 will be retained therein and will not drip downinto the container 12.

The upper end portion 38 of tube 36 includes an open upper end 42 whichreceives a deflector outlet plug 44 therein. Plug 44 is adapted todirect fluid squeezed from container 10 through tube 36 towards the base30 of cup 18. The plug is seen in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, andincludes a top wall 46 having a lower deflecting surface 48 which facesthe upper end portion 42 of tube 38 to deflect liquid ejected from thetube. The plug also includes, integrally formed therewith, an integralstem 50 which extends downwardly from surface 48 of top 46. This stem isprovided with at least one and preferably a plurality of channels formedtherein to permit liquid to flow from tube 38 against surface 48 andout, downward into cup 18.

As seen in FIG. 3, stem 50 preferably has a generally cruciformconfiguration with four radially extending arms or fins 52 formedintegrally therewith. The fins 52 define channels 54 therebetweenthrough which the liquid in tube 36 flows. In accordance with one aspectof the present invention, the diameter of stem 50, i.e., the distancebetween the free ends of diametrically opposed fins 52, is selected tobe greater than the internal diameter of tube 36. By this construction,when stem 50 is forced into the upper end portion 38 of tube 36, theflexible tube will be stretched taut about the stem, as seen in FIG. 3,so that it does not collapse and close off channels 54. In thisconnection, it is noted that in the cruciform configuration of theillustrative embodiment, the chord distances between the free ends offins 52 will be substantially the same or slightly greater than theinternal diameter of the flexible tube 36. For example, it iscontemplated that, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, where a tube 36 having an internal diameter of 0.150 inchesis used, the maximum diameter of stem 50 can be 0.190 inches and thechord distance between the free ends of the fins can be 0.155 inches.Due to the flexible nature of the tube 36, the oversize diameters of thestern are readily accommodated within the ends of the flexible tube.However, to assist insertion, the lower end portions 56 of therespective fins or arms 52 can be tapered slightly, as seen in FIG. 4,to assist in insertion.

In order to insure that liquid from tube 36 is expelled through plug 44,the plug is provided with means for preventing engagement of the topedge 42 of the tube with the surface 48 of the plug. Thus, each of thefins or arms 52 is provided with an upper radial extension 58 againstwhich the end 42 of tube 36 abuts when the plug is properly inserted inthe tube. In this manner, the end 42 is maintained in a pre-determinedspaced relationship from the surface 48 so that liquid in the tube canflow over the upper edge 42 of the tube and into the receptacle 18.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, plug 44 isconstructed to insure that liquid dispensed from tube 36 is directeddownwardly towards the base of the receptacle so that no liquid willsplash or be inadvertently expelled over the tape edge 24 of the cup,even upon vigorous squeezing of flexible container 10. Thus, plug 44 isprovided with a generally cylindrical peripheral flange 60 whichsurrounds the upper end portion 38 of tube 36, as seen in FIG. 4. Theinternal diameter of flange 60 is selected to be slightly greater thanthe outside diameter of tube 36, so that the tube can be accommodatedwithin the flange. By this arrangement a free passage 62 on the outsideof tube 36, but within flange 60, is provided (see FIG. 3). That is,since tube 36 is held taut on fins 52 of stem 50 the side walls of thetube assume a generally straight-line condition adjacent channels 54 sothat substantial free space is provided on the exterior of tube 36,between the tube and the internal cylindrical surface of flange 60. Itis this space which forms the passage 62. As a result, it will beappreciated that upon squeezing of container 10, liquid in the containerwill be forced up tube 36, through the channels 54 defined between fins52 and tube 36 against the surface 48 of the plug, and then over the topedge of the tube through passage 62 towards the bottom wall 30 ofreceptacle 18. In this manner a positive deflection of the liquid forcedfrom the container is achieved which substantially overcomes anytendency for the liquid, even under substantial squeezing pressure, tobe ejected out of the container.

In order to keep the interior of the cup or receptacle l8 clean when notin use, a cover 62 is connected to cup 18 by a generally U-shaped hinge64. The hinge is preferably integrally formed with cup 18, with the legsof the U-shaped hinge extending generally radially from the cup and itsbight portion being spaced from the cup and providing the hinge mountingfor cover 62. This mounting may be in a snap fit arrangement, as seen inFIG. 2. Cover 62 can also be provided with a latch portion or lip 66which is engageable with a complementary lip 68 formed at the upper edgeof receptacle 18.

As previously mentioned, the opening 34 in bottom wall 30 ispreferentially located and is eccentric from the center of the generallycircular bottom wall 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The preferential locationof opening 30 is selected such that the opening is in generally radialalignment with the location of the hinge 64 so that the upper endportion 30 of tube 36 is directed upwardly towards the hinge. The plug44, which closes the upper end portion of tube 36, is provided withmeans that cooperates with the generally U-shaped configuration of hinge64 to hold the plug and upper end portion of the tube adjacent thesidewall 20 of the cup thereby to leave a maximum area of the cupexposed for insertion of the teat. Thus, plug 44 is provided with anextension 5. or tab 70 formed integrally therewith and located (as seenin FIG. 4) in generally spaced relation to theexterior of flange 60. Thespacing between tab 70 and flange 60 is selected such that the upperedge portion 24 of cup 18v can be received therebetween, as seen in FIG.2. The width of tab 70 is selected such that it is slightly less thanthedistance between the leg portions of the U-shaped hinge 64, so thatthe tab can be inserted between the leg portions of the hinge. By thisarrangement, plug 44, and thus the upper end portion of tube 36, issimultaneously held adjacent the sidewall 20 of cup 18 and itsperipheral position along the receptacle is fixed, without the need forany further mechanical connection of the plug to the cup. Bypreferentially locating opening 34 in the manner described above, theamount of bending required in tube 36 is reduced and a maximum area andvolume in cup 18 is left free.

In actual operation cup 18 is normally closed by cover 62 with a supplyof germicidal liquid held within container 10. After a cow is milked,the farmer simply opens cap 62 and squeezes container until a sufficientamount of liquid has entered receptacle 18. Upon squeezing, the pressurewithin container 10 is increased, forcing liquid 12 up tube 36 to plug44 wherein the liquid is divided into four separate streams in thechannels 54 formed by fins 52'. These streams of liquid engage thedeflecting surface 48 of the plug and are deflected outwardly over theupper edge portion 42 of the tube. The flange 60 then diverts thisoutwardly moving liquid downwardly towards the bottom of cup 18 betweenthe exterior surface of the tube and the interior surfaces of the flangeinto the passageway 62 de-' fined therebetwe en. When a sufficientsupply of liquid is placed in cup 18, the farmer simply dips the cowsteat into the liquid, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The teat will not beinjured by the presence of tube 36 within cup 18 since the tube isformed of a soft material and is easily deflected to one side or theother by the teat. Moreover, because of the mounting arrangement forplug 44, the plug and tube are kept at all times from intruding insideof the receptacle or interfering with the teat dipping operation. Thus asubstantial area of the receptacle remains free for insertion of theteat.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawing, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment,and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein byone skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit ofthis invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An open top dispensing cup suitable for use in teat treatment andadapted to be secured to the open neck of a flexible container having asupply of teat treating liquid therein, said cup comprising a liquidreceptacle portion having an open top and a continuous peripheralsidewall tapering from said open top to a smaller bottom end portionadapted to be secured to the neck of said container; said receptacleportion having a bottom wall in said bottom end portion and said bottomwall having an opening formed therein; a flexible tubs extending throughsaid opening and having a first end portion located within saidreceptacle portion adjacent said open top and a second end portionlocated in said flexible container; and an outlet plug inserted in saidfirst end portion of the flexible tube, said plug including means forsecuring the plug and first end portion of said flexible tube to saidsidewall and at least one channel 6. formed therein for providing liquidcommunication between the interior of said tube and said receptacleportion, whereby upon deformation of the walls of the container.inwardly liquid is forced from said container,

through said tube and plug into said receptacle portion channels formedtherein; said channels having configurations selected to deflect liquidflowing in said tube downwardly towards the bottom wall of saidreceptacle portion. I

4. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 1 wherein said plug comprisesa top including a downwardly extending peripheral flange having an openbottom, said flange surrounding said tube and having an internalcross-sectional dimension which is greater than the external diameter ofof said tube; and a stern extending generally axially of said plug topand adapted to be inserted in said tube, said stem having said at leastone channel formed therein.

5 The dispensing cup as defined in claim 4 wherein said stem has aplurality of radially extending arms formed along its length,jsaid armscooperating to define liquid flow channels therebetween.

6. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 5 wherein the maximumcross-sectional dimension of said stem is greater than the internaldiameter of said flexible tube, whereby said flexible tube is stretchedtaut between said arms and across said channels whereby liquid forced upsaid tube flows in said channels between said stem and the tube andthence flows from the top of said tube into said receptacle portionbetween the exterior surface of the tube and said peripheral flange.

7. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 6 wherein said plug topincludes radial extensions of said arms, said radial extensions definingstops for the end of said tube to limit insertion of said stem into saidtube and permit free liquid flow from the tube to said receptacleportion.

8. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 7 wherein said flange is isgenerally cylindrical and said stem is generally cruciform incross-section; the diagonal dimensions of said cruciform stem beinggreater than the internal diameter of said tube.

9. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 4 wherein said plug includesan integral extension spaced from said flange a distance greater thanthe thickness of said peripheral sidewall; said extension defining saidsecuring means and being adapted to receive the top edge of saidreceptacle between itself and the flange of said plug, thereby to holdsaid plug and first portion of said tube adjacent the peripheral wall ofsaid receptacle.

10. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 9 wherein said bottom wallopening is eccentrically located.

1 1. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 10 including a cover forsaid receptacle and hinge means for pivotally mounting said cover onsaid receptacle, said hinge being located on said receptacle ingenerally radial alignment with and adjacent to said bottom wallopening.

12. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 11 wherein said hinge meanshas an aperture therein and 7 said plug extension is adapted to bereceived in said aperture, whereby said plug is held in a fixed positionin said receptacle adjacent said hinge.

13. An open top dispensing cup adapted to be secured to the open end ofa flexible container having a supply of liquid therein, said cupcomprising a liquid receptacle portion having an open top and acontinuous peripheral sidewall tapering from said open top to a smallerbottom end portion adapted to be secured to said open end of theflexible container; said receptacle portion having a bottom wall in saidbottom end portion thereof, and said bottom wall having an openingformed therein; a flexible tube extending through said opening andhaving an upper end portion located within said receptacle portionadjacent said open top and a lower end portion located in said flexiblecontainer; said opening in said bottom wall having a diameter which isless than the outside diameter of said tube whereby said tube fitssnugly in said opening and forms a substantially liquid-tight sealtherewith; and an outlet plug inserted in said upper end portion of thetube for diverting liquid from the tube into said receptacle; said plugincluding a deflecting surface facing said upper end portion of the tubeand a stem extending from said surface and inserted in said upper endportion of the tube, said stern having a plurality of elongated armsextending outwardly therefrom and defining liquid flow channelstherebetween; said arms having free outer ends spaced from each other adistance slightly greater than the internal diameter of said tube,whereby said tube is stretched taut across said arms over said channelsand upon deformation of the walls of the container inwardly, liquid isforced from the container through 8 said tube in the channels betweensaid arms and into said receptacle; said plug including means formounting the plug and upper end portion of the tube adjacent the opentop and peripheral wall of said receptacle.

14. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 13 wherein said upper endportion of said tube has a free upper edge and said plug includes meansfor maintaining said free upper edge of the tube in spaced relation tosaid deflecting surface.

15. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 14 wherein said maintainingmeans comprises radial extensions of said arms located adjacent saiddeflecting surface and extending beyond the outside diameter of saidtube.

16. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 15 wherein said stem isgenerally cruciform in cross-section.

17. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 14 wherein said plug includesa cylindrical flange surrounding and radially spaced from the upper endportion of said tube whereby liquid flowing in said channels isdeflected by said deflecting surface and flange downwardly into saidreceptacle.

18. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 13 wherein said receptacleportion includes a generally U- shaped retaining member extendingradially outwardly from the exterior of the receptacle portion and saidlast mentioned means comprises a plug extension received in saidretaining member.

19. The dispensing container as defined in claim 18 including a coverfor said receptacle pivotally mounted on the bight portion of saidretaining member.

1. An open top dispensing cup suitable for use in teat treatment andadapted to be secured to the open neck of a flexible container having asupply of teat treating liquid therein, said cup comprising a liquidreceptacle portion having an open top and a continuous peripheralsidewall tapering from said open top to a smaller bottom end portionadapted to be secured to the neck of said container; said receptacleportion having a bottom wall in said bottom end portion and said bottomwall having an opening formed therein; a flexible tubs extending throughsaid opening and having a first end portion located within saidreceptacle portion adjacent said open top and a second end portionlocated in said flexible container; and an outlet plug inserted in saidfirst end portion of the flexible tube, said plug including means forsecuring the plug and first end portion of said flexible tube to saidsidewall and at least one channel formed therein for providing liquidcommunication between the interior of said tube and said receptacleportion, whereby upon deformation of the walls of the container inwardlyliquid is forced from said container, through said tube and plug intosaid receptacle portion of the cup.
 2. The dispensing cup as defined inclaim 1 wherein said opening in said bottom wall has a diameter which isless than the outside diameter of said tube whereby said tube snuglyfits in said opening and forms a substantially liquid-tight sealtherewith.
 3. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 1 wherein said plughas a plurality of separate and independent channels formed therein;said channels having configurations selected to deflect liquid flowingin said tube downwardly towards the bottom wall of said receptacleportion.
 4. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 1 wherein said plugcomprises a top including a downwardly extending peripheral flangehaving an open bottom, said flange surrounding said tube and having aninternal cross-sectional dimension which is greater than the externaldiameter of of said tube; and a stem extending generally axially of saidplug top and adapted to be inserted in said tube, said stem having saidat least one channel formed therein.
 5. The dispensing cup as defined inclaim 4 wherein said stem has a plurality of radially extending armsformed along its length, said arms cooperating to define liquid flowchannels therebetween.
 6. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 5wherein the maximum cross-sectional dimEnsion of said stem is greaterthan the internal diameter of said flexible tube, whereby said flexibletube is stretched taut between said arms and across said channelswhereby liquid forced up said tube flows in said channels between saidstem and the tube and thence flows from the top of said tube into saidreceptacle portion between the exterior surface of the tube and saidperipheral flange.
 7. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 6 whereinsaid plug top includes radial extensions of said arms, said radialextensions defining stops for the end of said tube to limit insertion ofsaid stem into said tube and permit free liquid flow from the tube tosaid receptacle portion.
 8. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 7wherein said flange is is generally cylindrical and said stem isgenerally cruciform in cross-section; the diagonal dimensions of saidcruciform stem being greater than the internal diameter of said tube. 9.The dispensing cup as defined in claim 4 wherein said plug includes anintegral extension spaced from said flange a distance greater than thethickness of said peripheral sidewall; said extension defining saidsecuring means and being adapted to receive the top edge of saidreceptacle between itself and the flange of said plug, thereby to holdsaid plug and first portion of said tube adjacent the peripheral wall ofsaid receptacle.
 10. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 9 whereinsaid bottom wall opening is eccentrically located.
 11. The dispensingcup as defined in claim 10 including a cover for said receptacle andhinge means for pivotally mounting said cover on said receptacle, saidhinge being located on said receptacle in generally radial alignmentwith and adjacent to said bottom wall opening.
 12. The dispensing cup asdefined in claim 11 wherein said hinge means has an aperture therein andsaid plug extension is adapted to be received in said aperture, wherebysaid plug is held in a fixed position in said receptacle adjacent saidhinge.
 13. An open top dispensing cup adapted to be secured to the openend of a flexible container having a supply of liquid therein, said cupcomprising a liquid receptacle portion having an open top and acontinuous peripheral sidewall tapering from said open top to a smallerbottom end portion adapted to be secured to said open end of theflexible container; said receptacle portion having a bottom wall in saidbottom end portion thereof, and said bottom wall having an openingformed therein; a flexible tube extending through said opening andhaving an upper end portion located within said receptacle portionadjacent said open top and a lower end portion located in said flexiblecontainer; said opening in said bottom wall having a diameter which isless than the outside diameter of said tube whereby said tube fitssnugly in said opening and forms a substantially liquid-tight sealtherewith; and an outlet plug inserted in said upper end portion of thetube for diverting liquid from the tube into said receptacle; said plugincluding a deflecting surface facing said upper end portion of the tubeand a stem extending from said surface and inserted in said upper endportion of the tube, said stem having a plurality of elongated armsextending outwardly therefrom and defining liquid flow channelstherebetween; said arms having free outer ends spaced from each other adistance slightly greater than the internal diameter of said tube,whereby said tube is stretched taut across said arms over said channelsand upon deformation of the walls of the container inwardly, liquid isforced from the container through said tube in the channels between saidarms and into said receptacle; said plug including means for mountingthe plug and upper end portion of the tube adjacent the open top andperipheral wall of said receptacle.
 14. The dispensing cup as defined inclaim 13 wherein said upper end portion of said tube has a free upperedge and said plug includes means for maintaining said free upper edgeof the Tube in spaced relation to said deflecting surface.
 15. Thedispensing cup as defined in claim 14 wherein said maintaining meanscomprises radial extensions of said arms located adjacent saiddeflecting surface and extending beyond the outside diameter of saidtube.
 16. The dispensing cup as defined in claim 15 wherein said stem isgenerally cruciform in cross-section.
 17. The dispensing cup as definedin claim 14 wherein said plug includes a cylindrical flange surroundingand radially spaced from the upper end portion of said tube wherebyliquid flowing in said channels is deflected by said deflecting surfaceand flange downwardly into said receptacle.
 18. The dispensing cup asdefined in claim 13 wherein said receptacle portion includes a generallyU-shaped retaining member extending radially outwardly from the exteriorof the receptacle portion and said last mentioned means comprises a plugextension received in said retaining member.
 19. The dispensingcontainer as defined in claim 18 including a cover for said receptaclepivotally mounted on the bight portion of said retaining member.